Overcoming writers block

[watervole]

  About 15 years ago I wrote a Stargate SG-1 novel and a sequel.

Then, I got Jossed and never got started on the third volume of the Trilogy. (the first two novels do complete some plot arcs, so you're not left dangling too badly on all fronts)

However, I did make a lot of notes for it, and I recently did the Stargate Alphabet Soup challenge in the hope that it would get me writing again, and it seems to be working, as I'm near the end of a brand new chapter.

What I need is encouragement as I have a whole novel to get through.  And it's an old fandom, so I know I won't pick up many new readers.

Here's how you can help...


If anyone has the patience to read the first two volumes (they're relatively short by novel standards) and leaves a comment at the end, then I undertake to write a minimum of 200 words (and 500 if it's a really interesting comment) on the third volume for each comment.  People who have read it before, still get to claim their words if they haven't previously left a comment.

It's Stargate SG-1, set around the end of season 5, at the time when the team consisted of Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c.  It's gen fic, though it does contain some relationships.  My aim was to give all the team a strong role to play and to make good use of many minor characters from the series.  It's also AU and will resolve many plot lines in a different way (and to my mind more aesthetically pleasing) than the route taken in the series.

The first volume is here - https://archiveofourown.org/works/392002/chapters/643582

Jack O'Neill and Harry Maybourne have very different approaches to ethics. Jack believes in honour and honesty. Harry believes the ends justify the means.

When Jack's daughter from a parallel reality comes through the stargate, both Jack and Harry find that their past (canonical) decisions have unforeseen consequences. What price are they willing to pay to put things right again? Can they work together? How far can Maybourne be trusted?

Jack and Sam have many difficult decisions to face. Can they maintain the careful balance of their working relationship while juggling with their feelings for one another?

How will Cassandra cope with tragedy, guilt, and the strangest friendship of her life?

This novel starts 3/4 of the way through the fifth season, shortly before Meridian and takes its own course through history after the events of 'Last Stand'.

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

Hi! So glad you feel like writing again! I am glad the recent challenge got you a bit unstuck.

I have seen that practice of "trading" some words for comments, but honestly it never caught on in the parts of SG-1 I am aware of. You might have better luck just straight up asking for cheering, and not promising to write more only if you get comments on what you have right now.

Also you might draw some interest by labeling it Jack/Sam UST, since it seems like that's a major subplot?

In any case, good luck and best wishes to you!

[watervole]

I didn't explain myself very clearly, my fault.

I don't want comments on the part I'm writing (and people won't get to see their 300 words until the whole thing is finished). I just need to know if they like the original novels, so that I have an incentive to keep working.

It's a complex 4 strand plot, so posting as I write would just lead to bad structure as I'll be working on different parts of it at different times.

Currently, I'm writing Cassandra's thread, but researching Lord Yu.

[princessofgeeks]

Well, I'm certainly cheering for you!

[watervole]

Thanks. I like your Janet icon.

I'm writing a section for her at present. I love her strong pragmatism and her professionalism.

[dhamphir]

I have seen that practice of "trading" some words for comments, but honestly it never caught on in the parts of SG-1 I am aware of. You might have better luck just straight up asking for cheering, and not promising to write more only if you get comments on what you have right now.

This. I came here to say just this. In fact, I've seen very negative reactions to this kind of scenario. This kind of "hostage writing" for comments usually turns readers off rather than having the kind of effect the O/P is looking for.

I totally agree that the O/P should just ask for cheering and approiately label the relationships. And there's never too much SG-1 fic! :D

[watervole]

Slight misunderstanding there.

I'm not saying that I'll only write if I get comments, just that I will try and write more per day if I get comments.

Also, not intending to post the story as I write it. That just leads to bad writing. I write the whole thing, then edit then post.

I don't need egoboo on every new page, just to know that there are people who like the existing novels.

I just want to be reassured that there are people who will actually read it. The first novel in particular works pretty well as a stand alone. The odds are that anyone who likes it will like the third volume, but if they don't want to read the first volume, then they certainly will never get around to the third.

I've just tried to add Sam/Jack UST as a tag, but it came out as "Sam/Jack UST - freeform". I've no idea why. So I've deleted it until I can figure out how to get it to work. Suggestions welcome.

[princessofgeeks]

Freeform just means that it's not one of the "official" tags. That's an AO3 labeling thing. It won't be offputting to readers if you want to add it back.

[watervole]

Given the sheer variety of tags available, I'm amazed that one wasn't there.
I just added a tag of 'fixing plot holes in series' and it didn't try adding 'freeform' to that, even though it wasn't an offered option.